Heroin poses a low threat to Kentucky because it is rarely available or
abused in the state. Heroin availability is limited primarily to urban
areas, and information regarding the heroin threat in other areas of the
state is largely negligible. Most of the heroin available in Kentucky is
produced in Mexico. South American heroin, which on average is higher
purity than Mexican, is available in at least one area of the state. Local
independent Caucasian dealers, the dominant heroin distributors in the
state, transport most of the heroin into Kentucky from major cities such
as Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, and New York. Mexican criminal
groups also distribute heroin in the state but to an even lesser extent.

Heroin is abused less frequently than other illicit drugs in Kentucky.
Only 3 percent of all drug-related treatment admissions in Kentucky from
FY1998 through FY2000 were for heroin abuse; however, there are indicators
that the rate of heroin abuse increased during that period. Heroin-related
treatment admissions increased from 458 in FY1998 to 542 in FY1999 and 561
in FY2000, according to the Kentucky Division of Substance Abuse.
Louisville, Lexington, and Covington have the largest number of patients
seeking treatment for heroin addiction, with Ashland, Bowling Green,
Hazard (Breathitt and Perry Counties), and Paducah also having a
significant number.

While law enforcement authorities throughout eastern Kentucky continue
to report low incidences of heroin abuse in the area, a new customer base,
primarily college students, may be emerging in the Lexington area. Higher
purity heroin gives users the option of snorting or smoking rather than
injecting the drug. This option enhances the appeal to younger users and
individuals who previously were hesitant to use the drug.

Heroin is not readily available in Kentucky; however, local law
enforcement officials reported an increase in the number of heroin-related
investigations, arrests, and seizures in 1999. FDSS data indicate that
federal law enforcement officials seized no heroin in FY1997, 4.7
kilograms in FY1998, and 4.6 kilograms in FY1999. There were no reported
seizures in FY2000; however, preliminary reporting indicates that there
were 10.8 kilograms seized in FY2001.

Heroin is less prevalent than other illicit drugs in Kentucky and is
available primarily in urban areas of the state. Most of the heroin
available in Kentucky is produced in Mexico. Mexican brown powdered and
Mexican black tar heroin are reportedly available in Lexington and
Ashland. South American heroin also is reportedly available in Ashland.
The number of heroin investigations in Ashland increased dramatically
since June 2001. Law enforcement authorities have also reported an
increase in heroin availability in the Louisville area.

In 1999 STRIDE data indicated that heroin purity averaged 85 percent in
Kentucky. Heroin prices in Kentucky remained stable from FY1995 through
FY2000 then increased in FY2001. According to DEA, a gram of heroin sold
for $100 to $300 in 2000, then increased to $300 to $400 in 2001.

There are no indications of significant increases in crime or violence
related directly to heroin distribution and abuse in Kentucky. Violence
associated with heroin distribution is limited, according to local police
department officials. Nonetheless, the highly addictive nature of heroin
causes many users to commit criminal acts in order to obtain the money
needed to purchase the drug. This often results in the abuser engaging in
a wide variety of criminal activities including theft, burglary, and
prostitution.

Opium is not cultivated nor is heroin produced in Kentucky. Heroin is
produced primarily in four source regions: South America, Southeast Asia,
Southwest Asia, and Mexico. Most of the heroin available in Kentucky is
produced in Mexico.

Local independent Caucasian dealers in their twenties are the dominant
transporters of heroin into and throughout the state. Most heroin
available in the state is transported by local independent dealers from
cities such as Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, and New York--heroin
distribution centers. It commonly is concealed inside private vehicles,
usually in small quantities not exceeding several grams. The Lexington
Police Department reports that heroin is transported into its area from
New York by local independent dealers. The Covington Police Department
reports that heroin is transported into its area from Cincinnati.

There is limited reporting regarding heroin distribution in Kentucky.
The Covington, Ashland, Louisville, and Lexington Police Departments
report that local independent Caucasian dealers are the primary retail
distributors in their jurisdictions. Mexican criminal groups also
distribute heroin at the retail level but to a lesser extent. Young
Caucasian males purchase gram quantities of heroin at distribution centers
in other states and return to Kentucky to distribute the drug. Heroin
usually is sold in cities such as Bowling Green, Lexington, and
Louisville, as well as cities in neighboring states.